New York Design Week 2008 Starts Out With a Bang at BKLYN Designs

New York Design Week 2008 is here, and let’s not beat around the bush: possibly more fun than ICFF is BKLYN Designs. Yes, some might need to point out that they’ve misspelled the name of their city, but looking beyond this you are guaranteed a good time at this event. What is the event, you ask?

BKLYN DESIGNS™ is New York’s hottest exhibition of designers and manufacturers of contemporary furnishings, lighting, and accessories made and/or designed in Brooklyn, all handpicked by a jury of editors from leading design and shelter magazines. Founded in 2003, this not-to-be-missed tradeshow has doubled its attendance in just five years, and has grown to include a diverse array of satellite exhibits and demonstrations, panel discussions, and keynote speakers.

But why should you go? One word: fun. Brooklyn is full of fresh talent. It’s a bit like Manhattan used to be twenty years ago in that it is bursting with young designers clambering for creative ecstasy. Manhattan is still fun of course, but it’s calculated fun. I love Manhattan, to be sure, but we all know experimenters in design can’t afford to practice their craft in a city where 300 square feet might cost you a few G’s each month.